Drawn to Scale

#57 - Small Scale: No Bots in the Design Room

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0700

Pablo Cortez of Sitio Landscape Architecture, is using AI—not to replace creativity—but to streamline and strengthen the business behind his design practice. From zoning workflows through Sitio’s “Code Flow” service to real-time financial forecasting, Pablo shares how tools like ChatGPT help him lead more effectively while keeping all creative decisions strictly human-made.

We also talk about where AI belongs in a creative studio—and where it absolutely doesn’t. If you’re a designer, studio owner, or strategist curious about integrating AI into your workflow without compromising your craft, this one's for you.

#56 - Small Scale: From Red to Resilient

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 15:37:02 -0700

Enjoy a 'small scale' episode. Artificially generated hosts, Jess and Marcus, go over some of the financial challenges Sitio has faced and how radically changing operations and processes can position the company for future financial success.

#55 - Pablo Cortez: Sitio Landscape Architecture

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 21:37:47 -0800

The A.I. episode. An experiment with an artificial intelligence generated interviewer. Pablo Cortez converses with an AI about his career, starting a firm and his insights into the landscape architecture industry.

#54 - Thomas Woltz: Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 10:11:45 -0800

Senior Principal of NBWLA Thomas Woltz joins me to share his journey from entry level first hire to his leadership role and discusses the how his company balances projects between multiple offices.

Learn more at: https://www.nbwla.com/

NBWLA Monograph available at: http://bit.ly/3PKhRKR

#53 - Greg Marett: Bayview Landscape Architecture

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 16:29:18 -0800

Bayview founder Greg Marett discusses his New York firm's transformation into a design-focused studio, emphasizing collaboration, transparency, and an enjoyable design process.

https://www.bayviewla.com/

Sponsors:

38 West, https://38west.com/sitio-la/

HAPS Agency, https://hapsagency.com/

#52 - Paul Kephart: Rana the Cohabitat Company

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0800

Lead environmentalist of Rana, Paul Kephart shares his insights into the profession, his personal journey and the incredible work Rana the Cohabitat Company has produced out of Carmel, CA.

https://www.ranacohabitat.com/

Sponsors:

38 West, https://38west.com/sitio-la/

HAPS Agency, https://hapsagency.com/

#51 - Remastered Nick Straabe

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 08:58:59 -0800

The very first episode now remastered with improved audio. Nick Straabe of Hunter Industries talks about his career and insights into the sales business.

#50 - Eric Sargeant: Sketchup Pro

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Eric Sargeant joins us for our final(ish) episode of the podcast. Eric talks about his work in urban design, planning and 3D modeling using Sketchup.

https://www.sargeantillustration.com/

https://learn.sketchup.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@SketchUp

#49 - Jonathan Davila: Videogarden

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0800

Creator of Videogarden, Jonathan Davila joins us to discuss his work in capturing and sharing stories of the Los Angeles landscapes and the people that live in them.

Instagram: @Videogarden.la

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@videogarden_

#48 - Robert Renteria: The Rockstar Platform

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0800

This week design/build contractor and creator of the Rockstar Platform, Robert Renteria joins us to discuss how he shares his experience and business knowledge to help other business owners improve their skills and profitability.

@artist_renteria

The Rockstar Platform

#47 - Doug Jones: CMG Landscape Architecture

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 07:40:07 -0800

This week's guest is CMG Landscape Architecture senior associate Doug Jones. Doug discusses CMG's work and approach to public realm projects and how the team increases social and ecological wellbeing through artful design.

https://www.cmgsite.com/

#46 - Marcus Martinez: Ultrabarrio

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0800

Architect and Urbanist, Marcus Martinez joins me this week to chat about his work at Ultrabarrio with the goal to shape cities to be more civic, sustainable, and generationally connected by design.

https://www.ultrabarrio.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ultrabarrio/

#45 - Rohan Guyot-Sutherland: Regenerative Systems

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0800

Rohan is a designer, builder, teacher and advocate of Regenerative Practices around the world. He joins us this week to discuss his design build company, Regenerative Systems and building self-sufficient homes and communities.

https://www.regenerative-systems.com

https://www.instagram.com/regenerativesystems

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlGk48sNEFM

#44 - Jeremiah Farmer: Land F/X

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0800

CEO of Land F/X , Jeremiah Farmer joins us for a discussion about how the AutoCAD add-on software helps landscape and irrigation designers save time and money.

www.landfx.com

#43 - Scott Beverly: Signature Illumination Designs

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0800

Founder and owner of Signature Illumination Designs, Scott Beverly chats with us about the company's services and history as the premiere lighting design and installation firm.

https://www.lightsbysignature.com/

Instagram: @signatureillumination

LinkedIN: @signature-illumination-designs

#42 - Elizabet Van Dillewijn: The Woland Foundation

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 07:45:48 -0800

The Woland Foundation's president and founder, Elizabeth Van Dillewijn joins us to discuss the foundations principles, future growth and bridging the gap between education and the future workforce for women in Landscape Architecture.

https://www.wolandfl.org/

Instagram: @wolandfoundation

#41 - Carter: Design it Green

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0800

Content creator Carter of Design it Green joins us to chat about using his social media platform to share landscape architecture and urban design methods, ideas and processes with the community at large.

Instagram: @design.it.green

Youtube: Design it Green

#40 - Maya Argaman: California Native Plant Society

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0700

Horticulture Program Senior Coordinator for the California Native Plant Society, Maya Argaman chats with us about the organization's work to protect California's native ecosystems.

https://www.cnps.org/

https://bloomcalifornia.org/

https://calscape.org/

#39 - Ashleigh Morgan: Recycle2Riches

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0700

Recycle2Riches' CEO and President Ashleigh Morgan joins us to talk about her non-profit's work with sustainable fashion, conscious consumerism and its expansion into closed loop community planning and development.

www.recycle2riches.org

Instagram

twitter

tik tok

#38 - Fernando Magallanes: NCSU

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0700

This week Landscape Architect and Educator Fernando Magallanes joins us to discuss his work bringing cultural sensitivities to the practice and education of landscape architecture. Find more info about and connect with Fernando here: INFO

@fmagallanes_

#37 - Shawn Maestretti: Studio Petrichor

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 08:32:32 -0700

We're back! Shawn Maestretti of Studio Petrichor in Altadena, CA joins us to chat about the studio's mission to reimagine regenerative landscapes and their approach to holistic landscape design.

https://studio-petrichor.com/

https://www.instagram.com/the_studio_petrichor/

#36 -Jordan Felber: The Landscape Library

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0700

Jordan Felber of the landscape library joins us to chat about the resources and available courses on landscape design curated over at: www.thelandscapelibrary.com

@the_landscape_library

#35 - David Rubin: David Rubin Land Collective

Tue, 10 May 2022 22:56:04 -0700

This week David Rubin of David Rubin Land Collective joins us to chat about his journey to leading an empathy driven design firm.

@dr_landcollective

@landcollective

@post_pandemic_landscape

https://land-collective.com/

#34 - Paul Ortega: Desert Environments

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 08:00:00 -0700

Designer and Desert Water Agency board member Paul Ortega joins us to talk about the challenges of developing desert environments and how water resources are best managed.

www.paulortega.com

www.dwa.org

#33 - Alex Delgadillo: SecLex Managed Security

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 08:00:00 -0700

SecLex's CISO Alex Delgadillo joins us to share some of the ideal technical solutions for designers in small or large firms.

http://www.seclexisc.com/

#32 - Toru Hasegawa: Morpholio

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 08:00:00 -0700

Co-Founder and Architect Toru Hasegawa joins us this week to talk about the Morpholio suite of apps for designers working in digital creation.

https://www.morpholioapps.com/

#31 - Joshua Seipel: SiteOne

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 06:00:00 -0800

District Sales Manager for SiteOne Landscape Supply, Joshua Seipel joins us to chat about SiteOne's services and support of the landscape industry and how the irrigation nerds at SiteOne aid designers with irrigation solutions. Learn more at https://www.siteone.com/

#30 - David Fletcher: Fletcher Studio

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 08:00:00 -0800

Landscape Architect David Fletcher joins us to chat about his studio's work, philanthropic efforts and helping to develop the 2016 video game, The Witness.

https://www.fletcher.studio/

@fletcher_studio

#29 - Magdalena Aravena: Studio Siembra

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 08:00:00 -0800

Landscape Architect Magdalena Aravena chats with us about starting Studio Siembra, career burnout culture and her work with ASLA to increase diversity in the profession. Follow her at @landarchetype and @studiosiembra

#28 - Michael Todoran: Designer, Artist and Podcaster

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 08:00:00 -0800

Michael Todoran joins us to talk about our failures and lessons learned in our careers and we get into a bit about the business of landscape architecture. http://www.miketodoran.com https://www.larchitect.org/

#27 - Kathy Kellogg Johnson

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 08:00:00 -0800

Co-Owner and Chairman of the Board for Kellogg Supply Inc., Kathy Kellogg Johnson joins us this week to talk about Kellogg's organic soils products and the company's philanthropic efforts throughout the world. Learn more at www.kelloggarden.com and check out Kathy's Ted Talk HERE.

#26 - @LarchNarc Memes Account

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 08:00:00 -0700

@larchnarc's account curator joins us to talk about the account and the issues it seeks to address with its wit, satire and social commentary.

#25 - Transborder Landscapes

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 08:00:00 -0700

Program Directors Raul Bielsa and Jimmy Ta join us to talk about the work the Transborder Landscape program is doing and the issues they are uncovering along the Mexico-US border in Tijuana and San Diego. You can follow the program's progress on their instagram account @transborderlandscapes

#24 - Streets LA

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0700

Greg Spotts and Alexander Caiozzo team up to discuss the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services, Streets LA's public work and goals to not only keep streets clean, but improve LA's urban fabric by reducing heat islands and increasing safe, reliable and much needed access across the public realm . Find out more about Streets LA here: https://streetsla.lacity.org/ and check out a current project over on youtube: Urban Cooling in Canoga Park

#23 - Sara Bendrick: Designer, Contractor, Media Personality and Business Owner

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0700

This week contractor Sara Bendrick talks to us about her design/build company Sarita Landscape Design, her media career and the effects residential construction can have on a neighborhood. Follow Sara on Instagram @sarabendrick , tic-toc @sarabendricktheyardist and check out her book: Big Impact Landscaping

https://saritalandscapes.com/

Sponsor: https://www.seclexisc.com/sitio

#22 - Jorge Gomez Designer, Illustrator and Owner of The Money Studio

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 10:16:09 -0700

This week we chat with Jorge Gomez of The Money Studio and discuss their branding, awareness campaigns and mural work. We talk about the affects of gentrification and how public art can help neighborhood identities. Follow their work at @the.money.studio

http://www.nomasbebesmovie.com/

https://www.borderangels.org/

Naturally Built ep209 What we do

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 18:17:15 -0700

No guest this week for our final episode of season 2. Ana and Pablo talk about what landscape designers and landscape architects do and their process. Also Maxwell makes an appearance.

Naturally Built ep208 Dimitrius Lynch on Architecture and Gābl Media

Wed, 19 May 2021 10:26:14 -0700

Architect Dimitrius Lynch joins us to discuss his own practice, podcasting and overseeing creative at Gābl Media.

https://gablmedia.com/

https://houseoflynes.com/

https://gablmedia.com/show/spaces-podcast/

Naturally Built ep207 Tara Cull on Vocabulary

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0700

ESL Instructor and Landscape Architect, Tara Cull joins us to discuss her work helping landscape architects build a confident vocabulary in the industry.

https://www.archienglish.com/

connect with Tara on LinkedIN and Instagram @archienglishteacher

Naturally Built ep206 Alfonso Cota on POC Studio

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 12:24:01 -0800

Outdoor architectural elements design/build POC Studio owner Alfonso Cota joins us for this episode to talk shop and how he has grown his business. Also, Analicia is back! Check out POC Studio's instagram accoutn @poc_studio

Naturally Built ep205 Getting to Work Panel Discussion

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0800

Taking a slight detour to bring you a recording of the Getting to Work Panel Discussion between Cal Poly Pomona Architecture & Landscape Architecture students and professionals during the School of Environmental Design's Firm Week

Naturally Built ep204 Frances Aquino on a Student's Perspective

Sun, 24 Jan 2021 15:06:12 -0800

Frances Aquino is a 4th year landscape architecture student and president of the Cal Poly Pomona ASLA student chapter. We talk with her about navigating college during a pandemic and a student's take on a career in landscape architecture. Connect with Frances on Instagram @francesaquinaux and @_designbyfrances www.francesaquinophoto.com

Naturally Built ep203 Pamela Galera on Parks

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 11:54:17 -0800

Landscape Architect and City of Anaheim Parks Manager, Pamela Galera joins us to talk about developing park spaces throughout a city and the process of growing these spaces..

Naturally Built ep202 Jonathan Stalvey on Collaborative Work

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 08:00:00 -0800

Landscape designer Jonathan Stalvey shares his experience working with a multi-disciplinary architectural firm, SVA Architects.

Naturally Built Season 2 Intro

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 09:00:00 -0700

Our first episode of the new season! Analicia Gomez joins as co-host and we talk about our plans for upcoming episodes and future of the podcast.

Naturally Built ep112 Nick Straabe on Sales

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 19:00:15 -0700

Nick Straabe returns for the season 1 finale to discuss selling your services throughout the landscape architecture industry.

connect with @nick.from.hunter & nick.straabe@hunterindustries.com

Keep an eye on the @sitio.la account for upcoming season 2 news

Naturally Built ep111 Joel Canon on Playspaces

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 20:37:26 -0700

Landrec Playspaces co-founder and principal Joel Canon sits down to talk about the outdoor playground and how Landrec's unique approach and design can benefit all users and spaces.

www.landrec.com

Naturally Built ep110 Jennifer Torres on Streets L.A.

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 15:41:21 -0700

Landscape architectural associate w/Streets L.A., Jennifer Torres joins me to talk about her role with the city of Los Angeles and paella making.

get in touch with Jennfier at jennifer.torres@lacity.org and visit the Streets L.A. website for more information.

Naturally Built ep109 Al Shan on Internet Marketing

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 19:10:23 -0700

Internet marketing expert Al Shan joins me to share his advice on starting an online marketing campaign for you business.

www.alshanmarketing.com

Instagram: @alshanmarketing

facebook: Al Shan Marketing

Naturally Built ep108 Carlos Flores on SoCal ASLA

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 15:42:17 -0700

SoCal ASLA President-elect Carlos Flores joins me to share his goals for the future of ASLA. @quien_es_carlos

www.nps.gov/rtca

www.socal-asla.org

www.theodorepayne.org

Naturally Built ep107 Steven Chavez on NAMLA

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 00:27:58 -0700

Landscape Architect and Educator Steven Chavez joins me to discuss his work with the newly founded National Association of Minority Landscape Architects.

@NAMLA

@stevenechavez

https://www.sca-larc.com/

Naturally Built ep 106 Andrew Wilcox on The New Classroom

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 08:44:48 -0700

Chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture at Cal Poly Pomona joins me to discuss what the future of the landscape architecture program looks like and what to expect moving forward.

Follow the Bravely Curious on Facebook and Instagram

Naturally Built ep105 Analicia Gomez on Public Service

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 01:16:36 -0700

Senior Planner of the Riverside County Parks and Open Space District Analicia Gomez talks about her work in the public and private sectors.

Connect with Analicia at puregenusdesign@gmail.com

Naturally Built ep104 Sara Abed on Design as Advocacy

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 14:40:39 -0700

Designer Sara Abed shares her current non-profit and volunteer work as well as her passion for racial justice changes within the landscape architecture industry.

You can connect with and follow Sara on Instagram at @sabed02 and through email at sabed88@gmail.com

Donate to groups fighting for racial justice by visiting link

Naturally Built ep103 Alex Delgadillo on Cyber Security

Sun, 31 May 2020 10:54:05 -0700

We're taking a slight detour to cover staying secured on the internets while working from home/anywhere. SecLex's CISO Alex Delgadillo shares his expertise on how to keep from getting hacked and loosing productivity. For more information visit www.seclexisc.com

Naturally Built ep102 Ben McCoy on Starting a Firm

Mon, 11 May 2020 10:44:01 -0700

Landscape Architect Ben McCoy joins us to discuss his new venture, starting his own landscape architecture firm. You can learn more about Ben's work, or connect with him directly, at www.deptofspace.com

Naturally Built ep101 Nick Straabe on Career Evolution

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 20:38:15 -0700

Sales Manager with Hunter Industries Nick Straabe sits down with us for our very first episode as he gives us insight into his career. A big thank you to our musically gifted friend and sneaker head Robert Wood for producing our intro/outro jam.